Wednesday's letters: Education budget

Published: Wednesday, July 31, 2013 at 4:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, July 30, 2013 at 6:42 p.m.

To the editor: In “1984,” George Orwell wrote that Newspeak would be in use by 2050. The July 23 Times-News shows that it’s arriving early.

The top headline read, “Budget emphasizes education.” The article, however, states, “the $11.5 billion portion of the state budget set aside for public schools, community colleges and the University of North Carolina system cuts education spending by nearly $260 million this year and another $222 million next year.”

This is how the Republican legislature “emphasizes education”? To paraphrase a well-known saying, “With friends like them, we don’t need enemies!”

Steve Smith

East Flat Rock

Pick it up!

To the editor: As local residents, we enjoy our almost daily walks in downtown Hendersonville. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful city.

I’ve noticed an ever-increasing problem on our downtown sidewalks — people walking their dogs and leaving their deposits in the middle of the sidewalks.

We are owners of a beautiful pup and understand it’s going to happen anywhere. I don’t understand why you leave your dog’s business on the sidewalk and walk away.

As we frequent our favorite breakfast restaurant on Main Street, it is unappetizing to look out and watch the flies on the dogs’ droppings. Let’s all keep Hendersonville beautiful and pick it up!

Joe Piper

Hendersonville

Downtown parking

To the editor: Thank you to Nancy Tanker and Emily Weaver for their informative articles about the actual availability of parking in downtown Hendersonville.

This will come as no surprise to our regular customers and out-of-town visitors, but I am so glad the Times-News did a thorough investigation and discovered what the businesses already know: There is ample free parking and abundant “cheap” parking (25 cents per half-hour).

In addition, I am not the only merchant who would carry your purchases to your vehicle if you are parked any distance from my shop or would bring the parcels curbside and wait for you to pull up. That is just what we do because we are grateful you shop with us.

So come downtown, stroll, shop and dine. We have a parking space for you!

<p>To the editor: In 1984, George Orwell wrote that Newspeak would be in use by 2050. The July 23 Times-News shows that it’s arriving early.</p><p>The top headline read, Budget emphasizes education. The article, however, states, the $11.5 billion portion of the state budget set aside for public schools, community colleges and the University of North Carolina system cuts education spending by nearly $260 million this year and another $222 million next year.</p><p>This is how the Republican legislature emphasizes education? To paraphrase a well-known saying, With friends like them, we don’t need enemies!</p><p><em>Steve Smith</em></p><p><em>East Flat Rock</em></p><h3>Pick it up!</h3>
<p>To the editor: As local residents, we enjoy our almost daily walks in downtown Hendersonville. We are fortunate to live in such a beautiful city.</p><p>I’ve noticed an ever-increasing problem on our downtown sidewalks  people walking their dogs and leaving their deposits in the middle of the sidewalks.</p><p>We are owners of a beautiful pup and understand it’s going to happen anywhere. I don’t understand why you leave your dog’s business on the sidewalk and walk away.</p><p>As we frequent our favorite breakfast restaurant on Main Street, it is unappetizing to look out and watch the flies on the dogs’ droppings. Let’s all keep Hendersonville beautiful and pick it up!</p><p><em>Joe Piper</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><h3>Downtown parking</h3>
<p>To the editor: Thank you to Nancy Tanker and Emily Weaver for their informative articles about the actual availability of parking in downtown Hendersonville.</p><p>This will come as no surprise to our regular customers and out-of-town visitors, but I am so glad the Times-News did a thorough investigation and discovered what the businesses already know: There is ample free parking and abundant cheap parking (25 cents per half-hour).</p><p>In addition, I am not the only merchant who would carry your purchases to your vehicle if you are parked any distance from my shop or would bring the parcels curbside and wait for you to pull up. That is just what we do because we are grateful you shop with us.</p><p>So come downtown, stroll, shop and dine. We have a parking space for you!</p><p><em>Barbara Hughes</em></p><p><em>Hendersonville</em></p><p><em></em></p>